This incredible photo shows the moment Red Arrows pilot David Stark parachuted to safety as the Hawk he was in explodes in a massive fireball behind him.
The crash at RAF Valley on Anglesey killed engineer Jonathan Bayliss instantly as the Hawk T1 smashed into the runway less than two minutes after take off.
Cpl Bayliss, 41, fulfilled a schoolboy dream by working for the famous aerobatic flight team, who perform at air shows across the UK.
Flight Lt Stark, 35, is currently recovering in hospital.
The images of the fatal accident - thought to have been caused by a birdstrike - were taken by amateur photographer David Taylor, 50.
He said: "I was truly shocked by what I saw.
"The plane took off normally, its wheels retracted, but it then turned sharply, its landing gear came back out and turned back towards the runway at an impossible angle.
"I thought, 'he’s not going to make it'. The plane came about 70 or 80ft overhead, then there was a pop rather than an explosion and we could see a fireball."
There was just 116 seconds from take off to tragedy and Taylor will be offering the images to the police and the RAF to help their investigation.
This year Cpl Bayliss became part of the Circus team, the small group of specialist engineers who travel with the jets, providing technical support away from the home base.
He joined the Royal Air Force in 2001, working on squadrons at RAF Coltishall and RAF Coningsby as well as on overseas deployments.
But in January 2016, his dream was realised after he officially became a member of the Red Arrows.
Sergeant Will Allen, a close colleague of Corporal Jon Bayliss and the leader of the Circus, for 2018 said: "Jon had the ability to motivate and inspire a team and those around him – no matter the rank, role or person.
"He was so proud to have been chosen to join the Circus team for 2018 and, in being one of the small group of engineers whose job it was to fly in a Red Arrows jet, had fulfilled a schoolboy dream.
"Jon had a big a presence on the Squadron and with his wide beaming smile, and dry humour, could lighten up any dull moment or lift spirits when needed. Both inside and outside of work, he was a generous, kind and caring man who could also always be relied upon.
"Having worked with Jon both at the Red Arrows and elsewhere in the Royal Air Force, I know how tirelessly he approached each task and was, what many would describe, a genuine grafter," he said.
Squadron Leader Richard Bland, Senior Engineering Officer of the Red Arrows, said: "Everyone on the team has a great story about Jon and, without exception, he was known as a top bloke with an infectious smile, cheeky grin and possessing a dry sense of humour that had the ability to fill a room with laughter.
"At the same time, Jon was the ultimate professional and embodiment of excellence. As the leader of a team responsible for replenishing the jet’s dye systems last year, he led exceptionally well, looking after his team mates selflessly and was a true inspiration.
"We have been touched by the messages of condolence received from the wider Air Force, from people who knew Jon across ranks and trades and it is clear people loved him.
"As a skilled leader, ambassador for the Royal Air Force and knowledgeable technician, Jon had all of the attributes and qualities that define the Red Arrows."
Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding at the Red Arrows said: "Corporal Bayliss was a popular colleague and someone whom others looked up to, being able to draw inspiration from his knowledge and strength of character.
"The Red Arrows family is a close one – the Squadron is a small team who live and work side-by-side and the overwhelming number of condolence messages, received from around the world, have been enormously comforting to us all and we are very grateful for that."
Corporal Bayliss was was born in Dartford, Kent and grew up in Hartley.
He attended Axton Chase School in Longfield and studied at West Kent College before going on to complete a HND in engineering management at the University of Greenwich.
Before joining the Royal Air Force in 2001, he worked at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit.
Prior to becoming a member of the Red Arrows team in January 2016, Corporal Bayliss’ Royal Air Force career involved working on squadrons at RAF Coltishall and RAF Coningsby as well as on overseas deployments.
As a mechanical engineer with the Red Arrows, he had supported successful tours to the Far East, including China, as well as the Middle East and mainland Europe.
In 2017 he was a leader of the Red Arrows’ dye team, helping to replenish the jets’ famous smoke systems wherever they landed.
For 2018, he had been selected to be one of the Circus team – the small group of highly-trained engineers who travel with the aircraft and provide technical support to the Red Arrows when the aircraft operate away from their home base.
Speaking after his death, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "It is with deep sadness that I heard of the death of Corporal Jonathan Bayliss whilst flying with the Red Arrows on Anglesey.
"It’s clear from his colleagues that he was an incredibly skilled engineer and held in the highest regard as a teammate, a friend, and a shining example of what the British Armed Forces stand for. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this terrible time."
It is suspected that a bird hit the £30 million jet before it plunged to earth and exploded into flames at RAF Valley in Anglesey.
Both the engineer and the pilot were based at RAF Scrampton and no other people were on board at the time of the crash, the MOD confirmed.
The plane was on a routine transit journey from RAF Valley to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire after ground training when it crashed.